November was the sixth month in a row that new vehicle sales improved over the corresponding months last year, and the 49 754 cars and commercial vehicles sold last month was 7.2 percent higher than November 2016. New cars performed very solidly with a 16.4 percent sales hike over November 2016, though bakkies were down 7.4 percent.

Many cash-strapped South Africans are affording these cars by taking out long-term finance deals. According to Absa, 94.2 percent of applications are for a 72-month finance term while more than a third (36.3 percent) apply for balloon payments.

With a month to go, it’s expected that new-vehicle sales for the year will be two percent higher than in 2016.

Next year may be a different story however, as the economy’s hit by the impact of SA’s downgraded credit ratings in the form of reduced consumer and business confidence. Bad news for affordability is that the rand’s expected to depreciate further against international currencies towards year-end and in 2018, which will probably lead to price hikes.

On the flipside, carmakers will continue launching new models and selling them with attractive incentives, while predicted stable interest rates should help keep sales flowing at a reasonable level.

Last month it was the usual suspects filling the top-selling positions, with the Toyota Hilux coming out ahead of the Ford Ranger in the bakkie wars, while in cars the older Polo Vivo slightly outsold the new-generation Polo.

The imminent exit of Chevrolet from SA sees cars like the Spark and Utility selling at a trickle, as the last few leave dealer floors.